Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
National Science Day: PIB organises Webinar on COVID-19 Vaccination & Adolescents
“Let us follow precautions to prevent a fourth wave”
“COVAXIN is safe and effective”
Advantages gained by opening school are greater than the little risk in going to school: Dr. Mrudula Phadke
Rely on authentic sources of information only: Prof. Praveen Kumar
Mumbai, 28th February 2022
Press Information Bureau, Goa, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, UNICEF and Indian Institute of Mass Communication  jointly organized a webinar on COVID-19 Vaccination & Adolescents on the occasion of National Science Day, today 28th February 2022. Students of IIMC and online viewers participated and asked their questions to the experts during the webinar.
We are probably entering the endemic phase of Pandemic
Senior Advisor to Government of Maharashtra and UNICEF on Child Health, Dr. Mrudula Phadke spoke about the benefits of vaccination and why it is crucial to prevent a fourth wave. “If people do not take vaccine, the virus may get an opportunity to multiply, mutate and escape immune mechanism, which could result in a fourth wave. Let us follow precautions to prevent a fourth wave.”
Speaking about vaccination in adolescents, she explained that even though the chances of severity in children infected with COVID-19 is very low, vaccination is very essential. Speaking about Multiple Inflammatory Syndrome of Children, a syndrome that affects almost every organ, she said “Only 1 in 10,000 children may experience severe disease on being infected with COVID-19. But there is a condition called MIS-C, where almost every organ is affected. Hence our children should be vaccinated,” she insisted.
COVAXIN is safe and effective
She also assured that COVAXIN is a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine for children. She also mentioned that the immunity will last at least for a period of six months after the second dose. “By vaccinating children, we are protecting not only them, but also the family and thereby the society,” she said.
Speaking about the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines she said that, “Vaccines give 80% protection against the disease and very good protection of 95% - 99% against hospitalization and death.”
She mentioned that a child should be taken to hospital immediately if he/she experiences following untoward symptoms after vaccination: fever that is not coming down after 2-3 days, breathlessness, rashes, severe headache, vomiting, diarrhea, pain in abdomen.
Even vegans can safely have COVID-19 Vaccine: Dr. Mrudula Phadke
She also spoke about several misconceptions prevailing among parents of adolescents. Anaphylaxis – severe allergic reaction after vaccination is seen very rarely, 1 in 2 lakh population but some parents are concerned about it.
She informed that parents’ consent is not required in order for adolescents to take COVID-19 vaccination.
Advantages gained by opening school are greater than risk in going to school: Dr. Mrudula Phadke
She welcomed the decision to reopen schools. She was answering a query regarding safety of children as the schools are reopening. She replied, “It is safe for children to go to school even if not vaccinated. We are now in declining phase of COVID-19. Students should follow SMS - social distancing, mask wearing and washing hands regularly to fight against the Pandemic.”
Vaccines are available for free in all Government, Corporation hospitals and Primary Health Centres
She encouraged all adolescents and their parents to come forward and avail the benefit of getting vaccinated and protecting oneself, family as well as the society.
She also spoke about the developments in vaccines across the world. “Some scientists are trying to develop a pan-Coronavirus Vaccine, so that howmuchsoever the virus mutates, vaccine will cover and kill all of them. We will do this till we win.”
Rely on authentic sources of information only
Prof. Praveen Kumar, Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi spoke about the significance of vaccines as well as COVID appropriate behaviour.
“Experts say that the risk from COVID-19 is still there; we need to continue taking precautions and also get vaccinated.”
He cautioned that since the coronavirus mutates repeatedly there is a higher risk of its ability to bypass our acquired immunity and hence it is crucial to follow CAB and also get vaccinated. “This has to be continued so long as COVID-19 disease transmission happens,” he added.
He also advised everyone to follow only authentic sources of information viz. websites and official platforms of central and state governments, WHO etc.
Additional Director General, Smita Vats Sharma spoke about the role of Ministry of I&B and the significance of providing right information to the public to fight the pandemic. “We can defeat this Pandemic only through awareness and right information,” she said. She also pointed out that the Ministry is using digtal platforms to reach out to the general public. “The purpose of this webinar on 'COVID-19 Vaccination & Adolescents' is to address the concerns of parents regarding ongoing Vaccination for adolescents,” she added.
The webinar was coordinated and conducted by Sonal Tupe, Media Officer of PIB Mumbai.
COVID-19 Vaccination of children in the age-group of 15-18 years began on 3rd January 2022 across the country. Health Ministry in its advisory had mentioned that all those children aged 15 years or more  will be able to register on https://www.cowin.gov.in/ and the vaccination option would be COVAXIN only. However, appointments for Vaccination can be booked online as well as onsite .PIB Mumbai | DJM/DL/DR
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